Voluntary and community groups in Northumberland have been warned they are facing a reduction in funding for their work - because of the recession and tough budget savings required by the county council.

However, County Hall bosses have reassured the sector that a funding package of £1.3m will still be available next year. Budget proposals recommend more money for charities directly supporting those people worst affected by the recession.

These will include services such as credit unions and the Citizens' Advice Bureau.

A Northumberland development trust is inviting people for a first behind the scenes tour of its successes.

Glendale Gateway Trust, based in Wooler, was created in 1996 and has since secured £4.9m of funding for the community.

On Saturday, November 21 the trust is staging an open day and tours to give people an insight into its achievements.

The first Northumberland National Park Forum which seeks feedback from local people will take place tomorrow.

The theme for the inaugural event is The Future of the Uplands. There will be 60 places available at the Cheviot Centre, Wooler, from 6pm-8pm.

The national park authority has invited Peter Jackson, a board member of One North East to chair the meeting.

People who want to confirm a place, or who have a question that they would like to raise, should e-mail npforum@nnpa.org.uk or telephone (01434) 611516.

Older people are being asked to volunteer their time to help their peers stay active and independent.

Northumberland Care Trust, in partnership with Age Concern, is looking for volunteers to become "senior health mentors" to other older people in their community.

Ann Kirkup, project co-ordinator for the health mentor scheme in Northumberland, with Jean Sanders in Newbiggin, who has volunteered as a senior peer mentor.

The volunteers will be trained to help, support and encourage those they are mentoring on the benefits of healthy eating and exercise, as well as offering social interaction.

A partnership organisation set up to help Northumberland farmers and land managers cope with climate change is targeting the next generation of decision-makers.

Cheviot Futures, which looks at practical measures that can be taken to adapt to and profit from changes, will be passing on its message to young people at the Glendale Agricultural Society's Children's Countryside Day next month.

The Defra and EU-funded group, which counts farmers, landowners, and a range of bodies ranging from the Environment Agency to the RSPB as members, is putting up £8,000 to support the event.

A Northumberland charity shop is appealing for bric-a-brac and volunteers as part of a seven-day fundraising drive.

Wooler's new multi-coloured Christian Aid charity shop opens its doors for a week from Monday, May 11, at the start of Christian Aid Week.

Sue Burston, Christian Aid group organiser for the town, said that in the last 11 years the event has raised more than £40,000 for some of the world's poorest communities.

A new website has been launched for the Northumberland Uplands Leader programme, which covers many of the of the county's rural communities.

The area covers the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site and the whole of Northumberland National Park.

IT experts from the Northumberland National Park have built the new website, which offers advice on how to get access to European funding.

Farmer Nick Hargreave has been appointed as the new chairman of the Glendale Agricultural Society, which runs the annual August Bank Holiday Monday show in Wooler and children's countryside day.

Mr Hargreave, who farms at High Learchild near Whittingham, takes over the post from Tom Comber, who was chairman for two years. He will be assisted by vice-chairman Simon Orpwood.

Mr Hargreave, who has been a member of the society for five years and director for two, said: "I am delighted to have been asked to be chairman and I look forward to working with the committee to further strengthen our position.

Berwick United Reformed Church in Spittal, formerly St Paul's, will be hosting an evening of choral music.

The night, entitled 'An Evening of Entertainment' will feature the Wooler Choral Society.

It takes place on Friday, March 27, and begins at 7.30pm. Tickets are £3.50 and are available either in advance or on the door.

The Glendale Agricultural Society has appointed a new show secretary as part of an expansion of its team.

Rachael Smith, who lives in Wooler, will work along side Sara Nelson and Martha Goldie to organise the showcase agricultural event, which will be held for the 117th time on August Bank Holiday Monday.